About
Blueberries are small, round edible berries of the genus Vaccinium, consumed fresh, frozen, dried, or processed into juices, jams, and functional food products. They are valued for their high content of anthocyanin pigments, flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fibre.
Safety summary
Blueberries are considered safe for the general population with no established ADI and no bans or restrictions in any major regulatory jurisdiction. Epidemiological and clinical evidence associates regular consumption with reduced cardiovascular disease risk, improved glycaemic control, and neuroprotective effects driven primarily by anthocyanins. Individuals with a predisposition to calcium-oxalate kidney stones should exercise caution due to the moderate oxalate content, and those on anticoagulant therapy (e.g., warfarin) should monitor intake given the vitamin K content and mild antiplatelet activity.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia) | Approved | Blueberries are approved for sale as a whole food under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code; no special conditions or maximum intake levels apply.source |
| Health Canada (Canada) | Approved | Blueberries are recognized as a safe whole food under the Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c. 870); Canada is a major producer of wild lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) with no intake restrictions.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Blueberries are classified as a conventional food within the EU; no specific maximum intake or food-additive authorisation is required for whole fruit or juice. Health claims on blueberry products require EFSA authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Fruits including blueberries are regulated under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Chapter 2.3 – Fruit & Vegetable Products; permitted for sale as fresh, frozen, or processed fruit. Blueberry extracts used in nutraceuticals require prior FSSAI approval for specific health benefit claims per the 2016 Nutraceuticals Regulations.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. CFR Title 21 Part 145.120 – Canned Blueberries. accessdata.fda.gov
- 2PubMed. The state of the science on the health benefits of blueberries: a perspective, 2024. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. The Effects of Blueberry Phytochemicals on Cell Models of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Recent Research on the Health Benefits of Blueberries and Their Anthocyanins, 2020. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. Health promoting properties of blueberries: a review, 2018. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 – Chapter 2.3: Fruit & Vegetable Products, 2011. fssai.gov.in
